This is dinner, not a snack…the beginning

Hello and welcome to my first ever blog! This may be short lived or may be something that lasts for a while. I guess it will depend on what kind of response I get. I am a homeschool dad of about 10 years who is waiting for the ever-present light at the end of the tunnel to get closer. Homeschooling your child is great but it takes sacrifice of both time and money. There are so many benefits of homeschooling that far outweigh the time and money commitment that I won’t go into here. Besides, if you are a homeschooling parent you know and see the benefits everyday in your children’s lives.

Why the “This is dinner” title you ask? What does this have to do with being a homeschooler? Well, in many and probably most homeschool families there is one income provider. It seems to me that in many families that I work with both the husband and wife work. It might be that they do it out of necessity or they want the extra income but don’t really need it or could be that many just enjoy working because they enjoy working…make sense? My point is that in today’s economy it seems that it takes two to work in order to survive or live comfortably. In my family’s case I am the sole provider except my wife cleans an office twice a week. We struggle to pay the bills. Life would be so much easier if my wife worked a full time job also. But, because we have committed to homeschooling our kids, because we believe for our family that it is the right thing to do, we have decided that my wife will stay home. Notice I said “we” decided. This wasn’t a he-man ego trip because I am the man and should bring home the bacon. This was a joint decision with the goal of putting our children first. Sooo, after pointing out that the fact that it is a struggle to pay the bills, not to mention having a little fun or going out to a nice restaurant, or even maybe going on vacation, we are always looking for ways to save a little money.

A friend of mine, who has the same struggles as my family were talking one day at a church function. Food was being served, and it was free. Heh-heh. So, since I am looking for ways to save money, why not make this a mandatory dinner for this particular night. I noticed that my two teenagers were not eating. They were busy with their friends and not taking advantage of the great food being offered. I knew what was going to happen. We would all get home later that evening and my kids would want to know what was for dinner. My poor wife would have to put together a quick meal or better yet to my kids, would be making a run to a fast food joint. Now being in the situation that we are in, fast food is not in the budget. I told my friend, (we will call him Larry to protect the innocent) that I am going to have to go tell my kids that this is dinner and if they want to eat at all tonight they better get something to eat quick. Larry just smirked and laughed. He said many times they will be somewhere where food is being offered and his wife will remind him and his son that “This is dinner”.

So now you know where “This is dinner” comes from. Maybe you are in the same situation that Larry and me are in. Maybe you are a homeschooling family and maybe your not. What “This is dinner” situations do you have? Do you see that ever present light at the end of the tunnel but just can’t seem to reach it because you and your wife are sacrificing for the benefit of your children? Does it sometimes feel that you are in reach of that light but when you get the nerve to reach out for it and enjoy it you are suddenly yanked back by life’s “Murphy laws?” Well you are not alone. I am a Christian and though it is sometimes very difficult to do because of my humanity, I try to put all my faith and trust in God. Two of my favorite verses from the book of Psalms are: “In the multitude of my anxieties within me your comforts delights my soul.” and Ps 94:19 “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.”

Well, this is the official end to my first blog. I hope it finds those in the same situation so that they know they are not alone. I would love to hear from you.

E you later,

Jim